Childcare costs in West Midlands

Covering Birmingham, the Black Country, Coventry, Solihull, Herefordshire, Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire, the West Midlands combines England's second city with extensive rural counties. Compare 2026/27 LA funded rates across 14 local authorities in West Midlands. Select a rate to calculate your exact monthly fees after government support is applied.

Average Rate

£7.00/hr

Authorities

Children Under 5

360,000

Regional Initiatives

Birmingham early years investment programme expanding city-centre places
Black Country childcare inclusion initiative supporting low-income families

Parent Tips

Check for manufacturing and logistics employer childcare partnerships across the Black Country
Many West Midlands local authorities offer multilingual application support for the funded hours

Local authority	Under 2	2 to 3	3 to 4
Birmingham	£12.99/hr	£9.47/hr	£6.80/hr
Coventry	£12.12/hr	£8.91/hr	£6.38/hr
Dudley	£11.52/hr	£8.48/hr	£6.20/hr
Herefordshire	£10.50/hr	£7.80/hr	£6.20/hr
Sandwell	£12.59/hr	£9.25/hr	£6.53/hr
Shropshire	£10.74/hr	£7.92/hr	£6.20/hr
Solihull	£11.69/hr	£8.58/hr	£6.21/hr
Staffordshire	£11.25/hr	£8.27/hr	£6.20/hr

Show all 14 local authorities in West Midlands

Local authority	Under 2	2 to 3	3 to 4
Stoke-on-Trent	£12.02/hr	£8.85/hr	£6.44/hr
Telford and Wrekin	£11.37/hr	£8.40/hr	£6.20/hr
Walsall	£11.96/hr	£8.79/hr	£6.31/hr
Warwickshire	£11.40/hr	£8.40/hr	£6.25/hr
Wolverhampton	£12.25/hr	£9.00/hr	£6.51/hr
Worcestershire	£10.98/hr	£8.11/hr	£6.20/hr

Frequently asked questions about West Midlands childcare costs

›How does Birmingham's funded rate compare to surrounding authorities?

Birmingham's funded rate sits in line with most West Midlands authorities, with small variation between Birmingham, Sandwell, Walsall, and Wolverhampton, usually within £0.30/hr of one another.

›Are there extra schemes for children with additional needs in the West Midlands?

Yes. Birmingham and Coventry both operate Disability Access Funds and SEND inclusion top-ups for nurseries supporting children with additional needs on the funded hours.